How to Prevent Bugs From Eating Wisteria

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The wisteria is a type of purple-flowered vine that can quickly grow into a tree or shrub. Though wisteria is relatively easy to maintain, it is still susceptible to numerous pest insects. Keep your wisteria free of pest insects by correctly identifying the pest and using the proper control methods to eradicate it. Pests that are left to snack on the wisteria undisturbed can result in severe damage of branches, bark, leaves and fruit.

1

Observe the bugs around your wisteria plant for correct insect identification. Common insect pests of the wisteria include aphids, scales and longhorned borers. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can come in a variety of colors, including green, black, red, yellow and brown depending on the species. Some species can appear woolly or waxy. Scales include armored and soft scale species and are tiny, delicate-looking insects with one pair of wings. Longhorned borers are narrow-shaped, brownish beetles with long antennae, hence their name. Because different insects can require different methods of control, is it essential to know exactly which wisteria plant pests you are dealing with, though all of these insects can be dealt with using a broad-spectrum insecticide.

2

Follow the insecticide label directions if dealing with aphids and scales. Wear gardening gloves and protective clothing and use a garden sprayer or spray bottle to administer the insecticide. Avoid spraying the insecticide on other plants and insects if possible, as aphids specifically have many natural enemies, including parasitic wasps, lady beetles, lacewings and syrphid flies. Observe the plants 10 to 14 days after applying the insecticide to determine if another application is required.

3

Prevent longhorned borer infestations by keeping your wisteria tree healthy as these insects are mainly attracted to diseased and otherwise injured trees. Do not keep piles of firewood near wisteria trees, as beetles tend to emerge from firewood piles to eat nearby vegetation. Remove dead and dying branches of your wisteria tree immediately to prevent infestation. Spray an insecticide around the trunk of the tree to control borers, though the timing of the spray is contingent on the borer species. Talk to the staff at your nursery for specific spray information.

Things You Will Need

Protective clothing

Insecticide

Garden sprayer

Spray bottle

Garden gloves

Tips

Use organic insecticides whenever possible, such as neem oil or other horticultural oils.

Trunk sprays for borers only work during the insect's egg-laying period. Sprays will not kill borers once they are inside the tree.

Warnings

Avoid spraying insecticides if it is a windy day, as this can spread the insecticide throughout your property.

Avoid spraying insecticides if rain is predicted in the week's forecast.

About the Author

Kent Page McGroarty has worked as a writer since 2006, contributing numerous articles to various websites. She is a frequent contributor to the health and fitness sections of the online magazine EDGE Publications and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Joseph's University.